10 More Reuse Ideas for Food Packaging

Mary MazzoniJune 4, 2012 No Comments

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Making meals from scratch, starting with fresh ingredients and buying in bulk can go a long way toward reducing food packaging waste. But try as we may, mixed-material food boxes, mesh produce bags and plastic berry baskets still find their way into our household trash bins. Stop waste in its tracks by repurposing your packaging – saving money and keeping useful items out of the landfill. Last year, we gave you 10 creative reuse ideas for food packaging. This year, we strapped on our thinking caps to bring you 10 more.

1. Organize in style

The idea of turning old cans into organizers for pens and craft supplies is nothing new. But Portland crafter, knit-aholic and do stuff! blogger Lee Meredith dreamed up a way to turn this old summer camp craft into something that’s both functional and eye-catching: Create coffee can wall cubbies for her beloved yarn stash.

As outlined in her step-by-step tutorial, Meredith simply covered her cans in contact paper, glued them together and screwed them into the wall for easy, stylish storage.

Use the same method to store kitchen gadgets, small kids’ toys, office supplies and more. And don’t limit yourself to coffee cans! Utilize the materials that are most prevalent in your household recycling bins, including cans from soups, veggies and side dishes.
Try This: Make a Garden Tool Caddy From Your Old Cans

2. Get crafty with mesh produce bags

Mesh produce bags can be seriously annoying. To find a reuse solution for these hard-to-recycle bags, the DIY pros over at FaveCrafts.com took to Facebook and asked fans for their inventive ideas. Some gems from the list – compiled by the e-zine’s crafty editor Karisa Tell – include using mesh bags to clean dishes and organize your jewelry.

For a cleaning aid, wad your mesh bag into a ball, secure with a rubber band and use it to clean nonstick pans and other dishes. For a stylish earring organizer, simply stretch your bag over an old picture frame, staple it in place and start hanging your favorite jewels!

Mary is a lifelong vegetarian and enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, biking and relaxing in the park. When she’s not outside, she’s probably watching baseball. She is a former assistant editor for Earth911.

At Earth911, we’ve created a community that helps consumers find their own shade of green, match their values to their purchase behaviors, adopt environmentally sound practices and drive impactful environmental changes. We are here to deliver a mix of targeted content and eco-conscious products that influence positive environmental actions so that you can live a happier, healthier, sustainable lifestyle; one that protects this wonderful planet we call home.